Former four-time All-Star level guard Rajon Rondo was lately noticed with the Milwaukee Bucks throughout their practices at UC Irvine coaching camp. However the former double champion, now retired, just isn’t seeking to return to the sphere. By ESPN’s Baxter Holmesthe 38-year-old is contemplating his subsequent NBA life: as a coach. He initially served as a “visitor coach” on head coach Doc Rivers’ workers. Rivers was cautious when requested what precisely Rondo’s future appeared like with the group, however he prompt Rondo would keep in Milwaukee in a technique or one other.
Rondo had his finest seasons taking part in underneath Rivers with the Boston Celtics. Along with the 4 All-Star berths, the 6-foot-1 Kentucky product additionally earned 4 All-Defensive staff appearances and a 2011-12 All-NBA honor in Boston. He tore his ACL in January 2013 and mainly was by no means fairly the identical – though he remained a strong, if constant, performer for a few years. He gained championships as a starter for the loaded 2008 Celtics and as a sixth man for the 2020 Lakers.
“There are quite a lot of components that go into coaching,” Rondo stated. “You simply cannot say, I’ll turn out to be a coach, after which every little thing falls into place and that is the way it occurs. So sure personalities have to slot in, [and there’s] quite a lot of sacrifices. There are some issues I am studying. The morning conferences, the variety of hours you spend watching a film, it is loads.”
Rondo opened up about his emotions about watching the sport from the sidelines, via the lens of a coach.
“There’s a special sort of respect you’re feeling if you take a look at issues from their viewpoint,” Rondo stated. “Clearly they make selections primarily based on one factor and that is simply making an attempt to win. In order a participant you would possibly assume he is choosing on me, or he is simply taking part in me not for any motive, however, on the finish of the day, his job is on the road. So, it is by no means actually private from that standpoint if you’re a coach Generally the gamers can really feel that, so it is. is a special seat the place you sit and also you perceive the sport.”
Rivers, who has coached a few of the recreation’s brightest minds from Chris Paul to Kevin Garnett, spoke extremely of Rondo amongst his former All-Star gamers.
“He’s the neatest participant I’ve ever coached — and never simply sensible,” Rivers advised Holmes. “He is aware of when to say issues and when to not say it. He is an important staff builder. He is simply enjoyable, and it is nice to have him there.”
The Bucks might use all of the teaching assist they’ve this season. Milwaukee completed with an excellent, not nice, 49-33 file in 2023-24, however fell in six video games to the Indiana Pacers within the first spherical. In equity, their finest participant, ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo, missed the whole collection, whereas their second finest, level guard Damian Lillard, missed two. The staff improved due to some savvy free agent signings this summer season, however in a uneven Jap Convention, it is anybody’s guess how they will fare. Including a seasoned star like Rondo to the bench might give them a novel benefit.
“The distinction with Rondo, I believe, is he sees every little thing,” Rivers added. “He would not simply see his place, he sees everybody’s place. He is aware of everybody’s video games. I inform you, he is a savant. He is the one one I’ve coached – and I I’ve coached some actually sensible gamers – – however Rondo’s understanding of the units, of his job, of what this man must be doing and what to do, is unimaginable. And he sees that early on. why our relationship is so good and it was unhealthy at first, as a result of he’s. It became an incredible relationship as a result of he’s the one participant I gave my play sheet to earlier than matches. “That is the one time I completed video games the place I stated he referred to as an excellent recreation, as a result of that was him on my play sheet, like a receiver.”
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